Living life on the molecular scale, and other random musings from the paradigm of one in seven billion.

Sunday, October 16, 2016

Mental Health Week: A List for Change

This
past week in Australia has been Mental Health Week. There have been some wonderful outcomes
demonstrated this week; from researchers showcasing breakthroughs in
understanding complex mental illness to recognition of advocacy groups, however
it's also been made very clear that there is a still a big problem around
mental health. Too few of us admit when we are mentally unwell and too few of
us know that it is a common.

Untilattitudes change, until we change as a
society how we treat those with mental illness, no initiative will be truly
successful. People will continue to suffer in silence. People will continue to
feel like their illness is not valid and will struggle. This is unwarranted
and unacceptable when for many, treatment exists and could mean the difference
between life and death.

As
Mental Health Week comes to a close, it's important we remind ourselves that
this issue is far more than hashtags. This is a major health issue that has far
too many stigmas and stereotypes attached to it.There are unfortunately only so many dollars
that can go around, and thus we need to enact the changes ourselves as a
community, and not over rely on already stretched resources and ignorant
governments who cut funding. A little change by many individuals adds up to
massivecollective shift in a society.

While
Mental Health Week has done much to raise awareness, it is up to us to continue the change the other 51 weeks of the year.So with the end of Mental Health Week here, it's a good time to list some things I feel need to be shared in relation to mental health:

Mental illness is legitimate and real

Mental illness is common
(1/5 will suffer a mental illness in their lifetime)

Most people with mental
illness have jobs, families, dress neatly and have nice. It is not unusual to be 'high
functioning'. Sometimes the highest functioning people are in fact, the
most ill.

Mental illness requires
the expertise of medical doctors and allied health professionals who work
in evidence based practice. Homeopathy, alternative medicine and natural
supplements are not evidence based - in fact some can be dangerous to those
taking certain medications associated with treatment of mental illness.
Don't recommend them despite what you have read on the internet.

Please do not refer to
those with schizophrenia as 'schizophrenics' or those with depression as
'depressives' . We don't refer to people as 'broken boned' or 'the
infected' when talking to someone diagnosed with a physical illness.
People are not defined by an ailment, they are person suffering an
ailment.Mental illness is not the definition of a person, it is a condition a person has.

The stereotype of the
deranged and deluded is not a defining feature of
mental illness. It is rare and if someone admits to you they are mentally
ill, you have no reason to be afraid for your life. Part of the reason
people don't say they are mentally ill is the stigma and fearof being labelled as 'insane' or
'crazy'. In order to talk about it more and see improvements and support
we need to stop this immediate judgement and fear.

Someone can recover from
mental illness. Just like you can heal from a physical disease with the
right treatment.

Going for a walk in nature
will help cure a bad mood or feeling low. It will not cure depressive
disorder. There is a big difference between feeling depressed and
suffering with major depressive disorder.Please stop spreading simplistic memes,
they do nothing but guilt those who are suffering.

Related to the previous point: OCD is not being 'neat', it is debilitating condition
and is far more complex than the stereotype of an overly tidy person. You
do not have OCD if you have a neat house, you have OCD when cannot leave
the house without scrubbing your hands raw or doing some other kind of
time-consuming, life-interrupting ritual because you have an irrational
fear. OCD can be life-destroying. Please stop spreading these phrases and
memes, as they invalidate the true nature of this awful condition.

If someone advises they are taking medication, you are not qualified to comment on the validity of
that medication. Unless you are the board registered psychiatristtreating that person.

NEVER and I repeat NEVER,
advise someone to stop taking their medication. I don't care what you have
read on the internet or what book you have read, advising this can be
incredibly dangerous. If someone tells you they are having side effects
get them to a qualified medical doctor IMMEDIATELY.

If someone confides in you
that they have or have had a mental illness, do not judge. Support them.
They are still the same great person you know, they are not 'crazy' or
'insane'. Don't gossip about their condition. They won't go mad and bring
an axe to work and kill everyone. They probably think you care for
themand need a little support.
Gossiping, fear mongering and spreading nonsense based on stereotypes is
the exact opposite of a caring person. If you have questions, ask them. If
you need further information, check out the great websites I've listed
below or talk to a medical professional.

If someone comes to you
and advises they are struggling, think theyhave a mental disorder or are having
severely negative thoughts, assist them to seek professional help. Most of us are not trained in the best procedures for mental
health treatment, just as many of us aren't trained to perform surgery to
keep someone alive in the event of organ trauma.

Think aboutyour responses. Think about whether you
are being dismissive. Think about how you would respond to a fellow human
if they tell you they're struggling. If you are responding in a dismissive
way or inciting guilt, ask yourself, would you dismiss someone who was
bleeding or who had just broken a leg? If you answer yes, please keep these views to yourself and
refer that person to one of the great resources below.

And
with that rather strongly worded list, as I say farewell to a big week of initiatives and awareness, I implore you - think about what you say and do in relation to mental illness. We all must ensure we don't stop at the
hashtags. We all need to address the ingrained notions and the stereotypes with a passion to overturn them. We need to change our own perceptions around mental illness and act
for the change. It begins with support not judgement between individuals. Only
then can awareness have its true impact.

Some
excellent resources if you or anyone else is struggling is in need of support
or would like to learn more:

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About Me

I like long walks on the beach and dissecting your genetic code. Scientist who does lots of genomics to pay the bills but also fascinated by neuroscience, citizen science and astronomy. Often bakes, knits and enjoys whisky, books and music.
A blog on genomics, biology, medicine and the experiences of a scientist, as well as exploration of the intersection of science and society.
All views expressed on this blog are my own, and do not reflect those of my employer or professional associates.